Friday, September 17, 2021
Horizon West Middle School
HWMS Community Member,

We are already a little over halfway into the first quarter and our Hornets are still growing strong. Students and teachers are working together to create engaged learning experiences!

Open House
Out of an abundance of caution, the district has determined that all Open Houses will be virtual. This is in response to the high transmission of COVID-19 in Orange County. Please be on the lookout for further information on our Virtual Open House and how to access your child’s sessions. The Virtual Open House will take place the week of September 28th.
Principal Thomas and Assistant Principal Hargrett showing their Hornet Spirit while at Car Rider duty.

Progress Reports
First quarter progress reports are now available in Skyward. Please take time to review your child’s progress reports with them. Be sure to celebrate their success and encourage continued academic achievement. Simple words of encouragement can be very powerful in helping students stay focused and motivated. If your child is not doing well, then take time to talk about what he or she needs to do in order to get on track. There is still time between now and the end of the quarter. Communication with your student as well as their teacher is imperative to their success.

If you need more ideas on how you can help your child succeed, please contact your grade level school counselor. However, when it comes to grades please remember that open communication with your child’s teacher is the first line of protocol.
We wish all our Hornets a wonderful weekend and continued success as we get closer to the end of this quarter.

#HornetsBackAndBetterThanEver

Sincerely,

Michelle Thomas
Proud Principal
Useful Links
Connect with HWMS
8200 Tattant Drive
Orlando, FL 37486
(407) 554-1570
Special Events
Progress Reports are now available via Skyward.
Start with Hello Week begins Monday!
Each year in September, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Start With Hello Week. This program teaches students in grades K – 12 to help their peers in a fun and meaningful way. They take small but powerful actions to promote inclusion. We’d like to see all of our Hornets participating during Start with Hello Week!
Virtual Book Fair opens on Monday.
Dear Horizon West Parents and Families:

We can’t wait to bring the joy of reading to Horizon West Middle with the Virtual Scholastic Book Fair from 9/20 – 10/2!

You’ll get to enjoy the magic of a Book Fair from the comfort of your home with our Virtual Fair experience. Kids can shop thousands of books online to discover new favorites and stock their shelves with this season’s most popular reads!

Plus, check out these special virtual shopping perks:

  • Access to over 5,000 products
  • Direct shipping to your home and FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
  • eWallet digital payment system that friends and family can contribute to
  • 25% in rewards earned for our school with all purchases!

Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with virtual shopping:
or scan the following QR Code:
Thank you for helping us build lifelong readers in our school community and please remember, books always make great birthday and holiday season gifts!
September's SAC and PTSO meetings next Tuesday.
The next SAC meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 21 at 4:30 in the Media Center

The next PTSO meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 21 at 5:30pm in the Media Center.
Hispanic/Latino Heritage Week is coming at the end of September! Help us celebrate!
Annual Florida Hispanic Heritage Month Art and Essay Contest
First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the theme for Hispanic Heritage Month will be “Celebrating Hispanic-American Community Leaders and Champions” and released information regarding the student art and essay contests and Excellence in Education awards. Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15.
About the Hispanic Heritage Month Student Essay Contest:
First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest is now open to all 4-12 grade students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school student (grades 4-5), one middle school student (grades 6-8) and one high school student (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Hornet Athletics
Regular soccer season concludes Monday at home.
Congratulations to our girls and boys soccer teams on a fantastic season!! Come join us in rooting on our boys in our last regular season game on Monday, September 20th.
HWMS girls soccer team with Coach Dunn
HWMS boys soccer team with Coach Jalaff
Student Athletics Sponsors
Thank you to our AWESOME staff members who sponsored HWMS soccer athletes on certain games by providing a favorite drink or snack of their choice!
Yearbooks
Pre-order and save. Order your 2022 Horizon West Middle School Yearbook today!
Our 2021-2022 Yearbooks are now on sale! You can order a yearbook through your schoolpay account, just click on yearbook order. They are on sale for $35.00 until December 17th. After that the price rises to $40.

Parents, we are also selling yearbook ads! You can purchase them now, until November 29th. Yearbook ads are a great way to support our yearbook staff and to honor your child in their yearbook. You can purchase a full page, half page or a quarter page. Whatever you decide to purchase will be filled with pictures of your child and a personalized message from you! You’ll submit pictures and text to be included by emailing them to ashley.aulerich@ocps.net. There is more information such as pricing on schoolpay. The links to purchase a yearbook and the yearbook ads are below:

Pay for Yearbook:

Pay for Yearbook Ads:
Meet our amazing Performing Arts team!
Mr. Corneau, Ms. Parrish, Ms. Zuckerman & Ms. Rodgers
... love to bring out the amazing talents we have here at Horizon West Middle!
FSA Score Reports
FSA Score Reports have arrived for 7th and 8th grade students.
Starting on Friday, these reports will be distributed to your student during the school day so be on the lookout for these important papers. At this time, we are still waiting to receive FSA reports from our feeder school. Once received, the reports will be distributed to our 6th grade students. Parents of our previous 8th grade students, the high school will distribute the FSA reports to your student. Horizon West MS will not be handing reports out for parent pickup.
Classroom Highlights
Science with Ms. Roskey
Students review heat transfer with chocolate melting in Ms. Roskey’s Science class.
Economics with Ms. Szuch
Students in Ms. Szuch’s class were using real world applications in their banking and market activity.
National College Colors Day
Staff members showing their spirit on National College Colors Day!
Boys and Girls Club News
Join the Boys and Girls Club for FREE! Sign up forms are in the front office or you can sign up online at: http://www.bgcafterschoolzone.org/horizonwest/
PTSO News
The next PTSO meeting will take place on September 21st at 5:30pm in the Media Center. Come join us!

The 6th Grade Social is currently being rescheduled to a later date.

The Hornet’s Buzz Spirit store will be open during lunchtime on Friday, September 24th. Come get your spirit gear during lunch!
Florida flag
Enjoy your weekend Hornets!
Ms. Thomas, Principal
Horizon West Middle School
Friday, September 17, 2021
Social Media
Stay Connected with Us
Horizon West Leadership Team
Michelle Thomas - Principal - michelle.thomas@ocps.net
Nicole Hargrett - Assistant Principal - nicole.hargrett@ocps.net
Kevin Flanagan - Assistant Principal - kevin.flanagan@ocps.net
Brian Evans - Admin Dean 6th Grade and 8th Grade (A-L) - brian.evans@ocps.net
Judy Logan - Admin Dean 7th Grade and 8th Grade (M-Z) - judy.logan@ocps.net
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Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS-Horizon West Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and OCPS-Horizon West Middle School. Please contact Ms. Tiffany Stanley at tiffany.stanley@ocps.net with any questions.